Katie Holmes brings this iconic French style cap up to date

Published on December 24, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

We know that accessories are the finishing touch to an outfit, and they should never be neglected. In winter, we enjoy bringing out our elegant beanies, statement balaclavas and caps inspired by the “old money” style to stylize our looks. Katie Holmes perfectly embodies this approach, often seen wearing loose beanies evoking the “indie sleaze” style of the Olsen sisters. But recently, she swapped this simplicity for a real fashion archive: the newsboy cap, a nod to the emblematic character of Victor Hugo's “Miserables” (1862). The actress opted for an ocher version, giving a Frenchy and refined look to her casual ensemble composed of light brown jeans, a gray sweater and a minimalist black coat, completed with a pair of moccasins. Could Katie Holmes be making a comeback for this legendary 19th century piece?

©Backgrid USA/Bestimage

Read also: To each head its hat: our instructions for use

Where does the newsboy cap come from?

Appearing at the end of the 19th century in Europe and North America, the newsboy cap, with its short crescent-shaped visor and slightly rounded silhouette, was a must-have for the working classes. Traditionally made of wool canvas, it was the emblematic accessory of young American newsboys, nicknamed “newsboys”, and a popular choice among workers. In Paris, schoolchildren also adopted this “beret 2.0” for their daily lives. Although marked by its modest origins, the newsboy gradually gained popularity among the wealthier classes, becoming a practical accessory for athletes and golfers. Today, this emblematic headgear is revisited by brands, just like the beret, to match contemporary trends. On the fall-winter 2024-2025 catwalks, Prada reinvents the gavroche in festive colors, with feather ornaments or materials such as velvet, associated with bourgeois-style silhouettes in reference to the “Ladylike” aesthetic. A real revival for this forgotten headgear, already adopted by Katie Holmes, Bella Hadid and Anne Hathaway.

©Spotlight – Prada fall-winter 2024-2025